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FreeTrack Forum > FreeTrack : English Forum > Support : Tracking System > Finding the right Resister for USB power IRLEDS

RSS >  Finding the right Resister for USB power IRLEDS
remoteplayer1 #1 27/08/2008 - 00h45

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see further posts
Edited by remoteplayer1 on 05/09/2008 at 06h03.
tristan68 #2 27/08/2008 - 15h46

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Hello remoteplayer1


If you plan to use SFH485P , don't use them at 100mA, you would overpower them !!!


Use :

50 to 75 mA, if you plan to use an unmodded webcam.
25 to 50 mA, if you plan to use an IR modded webcam.


About the resistor power :

Once you've found the correct value, you need to get a resistor sustaining AT LEAST the dissipated power.

As a rule of thumb , you usually use at least a resistor able to widstabd 2x or 3x the calculated dissipated power.

So for your 0.05 w of calculated dissipated power , I would use the plain standard 0.25w carbon resistor (cheapest resistor ever... period  :)  )

Don't forget to recalculate your resistor for the desired led driving current.

cya
remoteplayer1 #3 31/08/2008 - 05h09

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i assuming x2-5 would be ok not just 2-3 times more for dissipated power because you suggest one that is 5 times more for the .05

i reculated these values so i don't ruin the LEDS

75 mA  - i should use a   6.8 ohms 5%   0.04 watt (x2-5)
4 band color code: blue silver [red,orange,yellow or green?]  gold (5%)
wired in series

50 mA - i should a 10 ohms 5% 0.03 watts  (x2-5)
4 band color code: brown black [red,orange,yellow or green?]  gold (5%)
wired in series

above 2 being wired in series

25 mA - i should use three  20 ohms 5% 0.08 watts (x2-5)
4 band color code: brown gold [red,orange,yellow or green?]  gold (5%)

this one being wired in parallel


im so confused
Edited by remoteplayer1 on 05/09/2008 at 06h04.
tristan68 #4 31/08/2008 - 15h23

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hello remoteplayer1

Well, lets do this step by step.

1)

Please tell me if you plan to use an IR modded webcam or an unmodded (plain stock) webcam ?

2)

USB power ... I usually don't recommend it , since you aren't proficient in electronics (risks of frying your PC's motherboard if you make a mistake)...

Please confirm you want to use USB power , or tell me what power supply you intent to use (in case of a power adapter, a pic of the  characteristics plate would be fine too  :)  )

thx

cya
remoteplayer1 #5 31/08/2008 - 16h07

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I will be using a vx-1000 lifecam by microsoft --- modified IR filter removed with floppy disc cut out on top of lens (can't find any negative film as of now)



this color coded resistor thing though, is whats confusing me, why can't someone just tell me exactly what resistor i need to use. Everyones giving me diffrent ways on wordings of resitence, voltage. Then tell me i need .25 watt, which i thought was the mutiplier.


i am using
LEDS:  1.5v       OSRAM SFH 485 P    < max 100 mA
5v USB
3 point head tracking



now assuming i use  50mA i will need a 10 Ohms 5% quarter watt resistor?
its saying disipated power 0.03 watts <--- do i need to know this for the color code ?


4 band: brown black black _space_ gold     10 ohms 5%



25 mA 20 ohms 5%  same with 50 mA i would require this resistor at 1/4 watt

4 band: red black black black _space_ gold


i will picking either 50mA or 25mA with following resitor(s) of choice, would these work? And should i use a PTC fuse for insurance (specifically what kind and how do i know), also how do i wire that in series before the resistor sorry for asking so many questions  :blink:
Edited by remoteplayer1 on 01/09/2008 at 05h18.
remoteplayer1 #6 01/09/2008 - 21h53

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anyone?
tristan68 #7 02/09/2008 - 01h47

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Hello Remoteplayer1


anyone?



Do you know the meaning of the term : weekend ?  :p

Sorry , just wasn't avail, happens....


its saying disipated power 0.03 watts <--- do i need to know this for the color code ?



No, the color code only provides the resistor value and precision, not it's max admissible power.


this color coded resistor thing though, is whats confusing me, why can't someone just tell me exactly what resistor i need to use



Well, you just gave them yourself :

thats :

10 ohms 1/4w if you want to put 50mA in your leds

22 ohms 1/4w if you want to put about 25mA in your leds

As I told you in my 1st message , the wizard gives you the power dissipated in your resistor (ie : 0.03w).
You need to get a resistor sustaining AT LEAST that power, so EVERY resistor allowing more than this value is OK (you can use 1/4w, 1/2w, 1w, 2w, 10w, but this gets big.....)

I told you to use 1/4w resistor because :
- they sustain the power you'll have them dissipate.
- they're the cheapest resistors you can find (no need to pay too much).

BTW, you don't really need to know the color code , since you're going to buy the resistors. You'll ask for a model, and you'll get that model.

The color code is mainly provided for people salvaging parts on old printed circuit boards, or if you buy a complete set of resistors....


And should i use a PTC fuse for insurance



Yes, its better to use one if you're powering your setup directly from an USB port.

you just mount in serial with the setup

so, you'll have :

USB positive lead -- PTC -- RES -- LED1 -- LED2 -- LED3 -- USB negative lead

cya
remoteplayer1 #8 02/09/2008 - 03h42

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ok thanks for clearing those things up with me, if you can help me with a few minor other questions

this PTC will work right? http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=MF-R010-ND



also i am using  NI multisim (electronics workbench) to simulate this circuit before building, when i use a virtual mulimeter to test the amps of the LEDs it comes up as 100mA    for both resistors configurations.  I thought the resistor split the voltage (which it does) but and also the mA is this normal or the program not being true to life.
edit: nevermind i forgot you had to open the circuit
Edited by remoteplayer1 on 02/09/2008 at 06h48.
tristan68 #9 02/09/2008 - 10h15

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Hello RemotePlayer1


This model is OK to protect your motherboard.

cya
cadcoke4 #10 03/09/2008 - 22h16

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It might be good to keep in mind that a standard USB port is limited to 100ma for a single device. From Wikipedia; "Initially, a device is only allowed to draw 100 mA. It may request more current from the upstream device in units of 2 mA up to a maximum of 500 mA."

I am not clear if 100ma is the true limit of what is available, or only what is recommended.  But, regardless, I think you  need to consider it to be a true limit for connecting directly to a computer.

I my own LED set-up, I use USB power and draw about 150ma. I don't use any overload protection, but  I don't connect it directly from the computer.  I use a powered US hub, and don't even connect the  hub to the computer!

I think the powered USB hub (even if you leave the hub connected to the computer) is a lot safer than going direct.

For others designing their own, remember that the current (the ma = Milli-Amp part) value adds when you are connecting in parallel.  But, if you are connecting in series, they are not added up.

Joe Dunfee
remoteplayer1 #11 05/09/2008 - 06h35

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do you mean it can only request more if its connected with data and request it via the computer?

im wiring these in serial see my most previous post for the exact setup the others are asking for right setup. so for 25mA leds it would require 250 mA of total current 50 mA 500mA of total current throughout


the usb adapter i would use would work for 25mA as its 4.2v --- 400mA rated  but not 50mA

cadcoke4 @ 03/09/2008 - 22h16 a dit:


For others designing their own, remember that the current (the ma = Milli-Amp part) value adds when you are connecting in parallel.  But, if you are connecting in series, they are not added up.

Joe Dunfee



are you directing to this to me and other, it subtracts in series right so im still good, but i might need a usb hub to get 250- 500mA is what your saying


also when i try to get a reading from a multi meter with the red and black wire on the usb plugged into computer or adapter i don't get any readings, whats up with that?   :blink: its a usb extender cable, don't see how it wouldn't work.
Edited by remoteplayer1 on 05/09/2008 at 07h12.
remoteplayer1 #12 05/09/2008 - 08h45

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i might end up just using a 4 aaa batterys and a 33-47ohms resistor which in case would run at 35-60mA , because i can't seem to get this usb cable to draw power. their are 4 wires and a one that is not shielded so it was red, white, yellow, black , i have no idea what the unshielded one is assuming its for id,  this is a type A male to A female, i ripped off the casing of the female part and tested red to black no readings whatsoever, multi is fine tho reads all other things.
tristan68 #13 05/09/2008 - 14h35

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Hello remoteplayer1.

If you want to stick with USB :

to keep things simple, just remind you wont normally exceed the USB power capability ( we're building a freetrack clip, not a flashlight  :dry: )

Since you'll use a serial setup , your setup current need usually won't be far greater than 50 mA (often less than this values , depends of your preferences while building and modding your webcam).



Posted Image




Now , if you want to go with batteries, your recommended setup will be different based of the battery type you'll use.


If you use 4 standard (alcaline) batteries (6v pack) :

recommended setup : serial

Posted Image


you can use the following resistor values :
- 62 ohms 1/4w for 25 mA (usual value if your webcam is IR modded)
- 30 ohms 1/4w for 50 mA (usual value if your webcam is NOT IR modded)
- 20 ohms 1/4w for 75 mA (usual value if your webcam is NOT IR modded and have difficulties to see the leds)


If you use 4 rechargeable (NiCad or NiMh) batteries (4.8v pack) :


recommended setup : parallel

Posted Image


you can use the following resistor values (3 resistors needed in this setup, 1 for each led) :

- 130 ohms 1/4w for 25 mA (usual value if your webcam is IR modded)
- 66 ohms 1/4w for 50 mA (usual value if your webcam is NOT IR modded)
- 47 ohms 1/2w for 75 mA (usual value if your webcam is NOT IR modded and have difficulties to see the leds)


cya
remoteplayer1 #14 05/09/2008 - 21h06

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any reason for the cable not getting (see post ) any voltage. should i ground the data cables or something.
Edited by remoteplayer1 on 05/09/2008 at 21h06.
tristan68 #15 06/09/2008 - 00h23

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Hello remoteplayer1

1) You should get your power voltage by using the 2 most external wires , on the USB cable.

2) NO don't ground the data (inner) cables !!!!!! you can destroy your USB host chip inside the PC or hub !!!!!




Remoteplayer1, since you're not proficient in electronics , you should IMO  stick to the battery operated model, for first try.... Less chances of getting things wrong.

Just use the wiring schematics i provided in my previous port, and the most appropriate resistor, based on your batteries model and the current you want to flow in your leds.

cya.

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